Improvement in movable breastworks or shields



M'. J. WBLLMAN. Movable Breastwork or Shield.

No.` 212,877. Patented Nlar. 4,1879.

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tion. Fig. 'The object of my invention is to provide' UNITED STATESPATE',

MARI-0N J. WELL'MAN, 0F NEW YORK, n. v

`|MPROVEMENT IN MOVABL BREASTWORKS OR SHltEiLD'S.,

Specification forming part Aof Letters Patent No. 212,877,` dated March4, 1879; application led June 1, 1878. i

as a Movable Intrenchment; `and I do herebydeclare that the following isa fulland exact description thereof, reference. being had to thedrawings forming a part of this specification.. Figurel is a verticalcross-section illustrating one of the simplest forms of my inven- 2 is afront elevation of the same.

soldiers in the lield with a portable and movable iutrenchment orshield, which they can -1noveupon the enemy while' the soldiers are 1behind it.

The drawings show aV stout frame of wood or iron, A, having aperpendicular upper portion and scarp-shaped lower portions resting,up'oii and moving on roller-Wheels. The device is of a suitablelength--say, fifteen to thirty feet-and about seven `to eight feet inheight. Instead ofroller-wheels, suitable casters or sleds may be used,as the condition of the surface ofthe country tol be traversed mayrequire.

Each platoon or detail of a company may be provided with one or more ofthese intrench ments. They may be pierced with suitable .apertures forthe platoon to shoot through,

. and should be protected. with any suitable armor, of metal, wood, orstone, earth, or ber, as may be preferred. When used against small-arms,a steel or iron sheetingwould suf- 'lice;`it' used against artillery, myintrencliment should be made proportionally heavier inits frame-Work,and. its armor shouldbo much' stronger.

The outer face should be provided with a layer of stone, eartl1,.lber,or clay, and in some cases be protected by an iron or steel facing.A

.Whenused againsty small arms, the weight of the intrenchmentjfvillsuice to' steady it; but it would need stoii-t tiinber-braces'on therear side to stead it against the impact of canf noirshot.

lien made in a light `form and faced with steel plates, it can beoperated as a shield to a small body of sharp-shooters, who,

i rbehind it, can advance in safety very. close to o the enemy.

of the city of New York, have invented Two or more of theseintrenchments can be used to form a line; and a suitable, numb r can becombined so as to make an inclosed works'or fort. Four or three can bearranged to forni a square or triangular room,over the top of whichcanvas'or boards can be laid,

Vthus forming a shelter better than a tent and safe against attack. y

For many purposes my invention takes the place of earthworks; and whennumbers of them are combined, and vcovered on top, they constitutecomfortable barracks. They should be constructed in readily-adjustablepieces, secured by dowels or pins, so vthat they may be readilytransported by Imen or horses, and be put together rapidly and in thedark. One of these intrenchment-pieces, A, can be laid upon the top oftwo` others, thus constituting Aa bomb-proof. They may be provided withhooks for convenience in moving or securing A them together.

A little experience in their use will show many obvious modifications inthe construetion and use of my invention.

1. A movable int-renchment of Wood, iron, stone, or other suitablematerial', having a perpendicular upperI portion and scarp-shaped 4lowerportions, so as to form a broadbase to steady the intrenchment andvpreclude it from being easily overturned, provided with suita` bleapertures or loop-holes resting -upon and moving on roller-wheels, orcasters, or sleds, operated and arranged as specified, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of two or more 111ovable intrenchments, constructed,arranged, and operated as specied, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

3. The combination of three or more moval ble intrenchinents,constructed and operated as specified, to forin a square or triangularbarrack orshelter, substantially as set forth.

Y MARION JgWELLMAN. In presence of- CHANDLER HALL,

J. C. CLAYTON.

